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Best quality assurance lead certifications
The best certifications for a quality assurance lead are Certified Scrum Master (CSM), ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL), and Certified Software Tester (CSTE).
Quality assurance lead certifications demonstrate your competency as a quality assurance lead to employers. However, not all quality assurance lead certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best quality assurance lead certifications. Obtaining a quality assurance lead certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
13 best certifications for quality assurance leads
13 best quality assurance lead certifications
1. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
A Certified ScrumMaster helps project teams properly use Scrum, increasing the likelihood of the project's overall success. CSMs understand Scrum values, practices, and applications and provide a level of knowledge and expertise above and beyond that of typical project managers. CSMs act as "servant leaders," helping the rest of the Scrum team work together and learn the Scrum framework.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
2. ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL)
The Foundation Level qualification is aimed at anyone linvolved in software testing. The Foundation level qualification is also appropriated for anyone who wants a basic understanding of software testing, such as project managers, quality managers, software development managers, business analysts, IT directors and management consultants.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
3. Certified Software Tester (CSTE)
The Certified Software Tester (CSTE) certification is intended to establish standards for initial qualification and provide direction for the testing function through an aggressive educational program. Acquiring the designation of Certified Software Tester (CSTE) indicates a professional level of competence in the principles and practices of quality control in the IT profession. CSTEs become members of a recognized professional group and receive recognition of their competence by business and professional associates, potentially more rapid career advancement, and greater acceptance in the role as advisor to management.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
4. Certified Quality Assurance Professional (CQAP)
The Certified Quality Assurance Professional (CQAP) designation gives you the training you need to be a leader in quality assurance. With specialized high level knowledge, you move forward with the confidence and experience required to develop quality control processes that are finely tuned to work efficiently within your company's current environment. Plus, as a CQAP you join a new network of the highest level of quality assurance experts - a group that your peers regard with supreme professional respect. The CQAP program builds upon your experience and knowledge. The first two levels - the achievement certificate and professional certificate - lay a foundation for the final level, the specialist designation program.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
5. Certified Software Quality Analyst (CSQA)
Acquiring the designation of Certified Software Quality Analyst (CSQA) indicates a professional level of competence in the principles and practices of quality assurance in the IT profession.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
6. Certified Manager of Software Testing (CMST)
The Certified Manager of Software Testing (CMST) certification establishes a worldwide standard for the assessment of the capabilities and competencies of software testing professionals that are working at, or soon will work at, the software testing management level.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
7. Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
The Certified Quality Engineer is a professional who understands the principles of product and service quality evaluation and control. This body of knowledge and applied technologies include, but are not limited to, development and operation of quality control systems, application and analysis of testing and inspection procedures, the ability to use metrology and statistical methods to diagnose and correct improper quality control practices, an understanding of human factors and motivation, facility with quality cost concepts and techniques, and the knowledge and ability to develop and administer management information systems and to audit quality systems for deficiency identification and correction.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
8. Master Quality Manager (MQM)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
9. Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE)
The Certified Software Quality Engineer understands software quality development and implementation, software inspection, testing, verification and validation; and implements software development and maintenance processes and methods.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
10. Certified Quality Auditor (CQA)
The Certified Quality Auditor is a professional who understands the standards and principles of auditing and the auditing techniques of examining, questioning, evaluating and reporting to determine a quality system's adequacy and deficiencies. The Certified Quality Auditor analyzes all elements of a quality system and judges its degree of adherence to the criteria of industrial management and quality evaluation and control systems.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
11. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
As project management grows in scope, importance and recognition, so do the related career and credential options available to you. The CAPM is designed for project team members and entry-level project managers, as well as qualified undergraduate and graduate students who want a credential to recognize their value to project team performance. A CAPM Credential can benefit professionals from all disciplines by demonstrating clear direction to their work and by gaining knowledge of project management processes and terminology.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
12. International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA)
ACAT seeks to ensure that all accredited individuals possess both the theoretical knowledge and the practical knowledge necessary to be successful practitioners. For that reason, candidates for accreditation must satisfy an experience requirement before becoming fully credentialed: three years of related work experience, up to two of which may be satisfied through college credit. Related work experience includes verifiable experience in accounting, financial services, or other field requiring a practical and theoretical knowledge of the subject matter covered on the ACAT Comprehensive Examination for the International Accredited Business Accountant. Those who pass the exam but who have not met the experience requirement may market themselves as having passed the ACAT Comprehensive Examination for International Accredited Business Accountant, but are not entitled to use the IABA designation.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
13. Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA)
The Certified Quality Improvement Associate has a basic knowledge of quality tools and their uses and is involved in quality improvement projects, but doesn't necessarily come from a traditional quality area.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
What is the best certification for a quality assurance lead?
The best quality assurance lead certification is Certified Scrum Master (CSM). The Certified Scrum Master (CSM) is awarded by the Scrum Alliance. This certification corresponds to a specialty within a recognized occupation.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this quality assurance lead certification:
- To become a certified Certified Scrum Master (CSM), you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for quality assurance leads?
The most in-demand quality assurance lead certification is Certified Scrum Master based on all active job postings. Having this quality assurance lead certification will give you access to more quality assurance lead jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a quality assurance lead career and salary?
The Certified Scrum Master certification will help you to secure a senior quality assurance analyst/lead position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A senior quality assurance analyst/lead's average salary is $96,753 whereas quality assurance leads make an average salary of $94,758.
The most common combination of quality assurance lead certifications include: Certified Scrum Master (CSM), ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL), and Certified Software Tester (CSTE).
Online courses for quality assurance leads to earn certifications
1. Software Engineering Immersive (Full-time)
Meet the global demand for technical problem-solvers by developing your coding skills to create full-stack web applications across multiple frameworks, incorporating functionality from third-party APIs, executing software engineering projects in an Agile development workflow, and more...
2. Intro to Coding
Discover if coding is a career fit for you In this free, two-hour livestream, explore the building blocks of the web — HTML and CSS — and learn how you can apply these programming languages to develop your own simple sites. All in real time, taught by an industry professional. Come learn the basics and gain the skills you need to write your first line of code!...
3. Full Stack Web Developer
Design and develop modern web applications.Students will also learn how to deploy a Flask-based web application to the cloud using Docker and Kubernetes...
4. Agile Software Development
Learn best practices for using the Agile methodology to build better products faster and more efficiently...
5. Quality Assurance Mastery - Manual Software Testing
Become Quality Assurance Engineer as a Complete Beginner. QA Masterclass for Junior QA Engineers...
6. The Complete Quality Assurance Course- Learn QA from Scratch
Learn QA Software Testing both Manual and Automation. Become Developer in Test and Kick-start your Career in IT...
7. Full Stack JavaScript Developer
Meet the growing demand for full stack developers and learn to build rich web experiences using a modern architecture and technology stack...
8. Cloud Developer using Microsoft Azure
The Developer for Microsoft Azure Nanodegree program teaches students how to deploy, build, migrate, and monitor applications on Azure, thereby preparing learners for success on Microsoft’s AZ-204 Azure Developer Associate Expert certification...
9. Selenium WebDriver: Selenium Automation Testing with Python
Learn Selenium Web Driver Python Course for professional Selenium Web Driver browser testing and automation...
10. SDET Training: Selenium WebDriver, Java Project & Code Tests
Complete SDET Training course on Selenium Web Driver with Java Framework, API & Automation Testing, Coding Interview etc...
11. Intermediate Python
Gain practitioner-level skills with Python and learn the language powering transformation in Data Science, Machine Learning, and beyond...
12. PL/SQL by Example - Beginner to Advanced PL/SQL
Using PL/SQL learn how to combine the efficiency of SQL & Procedural Language(PL) to build a powerful PL/SQL Application...
13. Selenium WebDriver with C# for Beginners + Live Testing Site
Selenium is the most popular tool to test websites! Join me and hundreds of students to learn Selenium Webdriver!...
14. User Experience Design & User Interface Design Fundamentals
Learn the basics of successful User Experience Design and User Interface Design...
15. Selenium WebDriver and Java - Learn Automation with Selenium
Selenium webdriver and Java. Learn Automation Testing with Selenium & Java. Build Automation - Selenium, Junit & Test NG...
16. Python From Scratch & Selenium WebDriver QA Automation 2023
Bundle Course, Python and Selenium Web Driver from scratch for Automation Testing, SQL, Framework Design, Robot Framework...
17. The Complete PL/SQL Bootcamp: Beginner to Advanced PL/SQL
A Comprehensive Guide to Make You a Job-Ready PL/SQL Developer.Also Covers Oracle 1Z0-144 and 1Z0-149 PL SQL Exam Topics...
18. Selenium WebDriver with Java for beginners
Selenium Web Driver with Java and Test NG. Tutorial designed for complete beginners in Selenium testing and automation...
19. The Complete User Interface Design Bootcamp - Sketch UI/UX
Master Sketch software to get a job in UI Design, User Interface, User Experience design, Web Design & UX design...
20. Learn Figma: User Interface Design Essentials - UI/UX Design
Master Figma app to get a job in UI Design, User Interface, User Experience design, Web Design & UX design...